Freeport's Greenwood has career night

The excitement of last night's Nassau state qualifier overcame Freeport's Jonathan Greenwood.

It became evident when the sophomore sprinter collapsed after running to a first-place finish in the 600-meter dash in a personal-best time of 1:23.22, ahead of Baldwin's Jarek Babb (1:25.03) and Valley Stream North's Chris Edouard (1:26.54).

"That's my best time ever," said Greenwood, whose previous top time was 1:26.28. The nephew of former NFL linebacker Marlon Greenwood added, "I've never done this before. I was dizzy after that race."

He wasn't the only one excited last night. Elmont's Jaquan Smith, who took first in the 55 meters in 6.47 seconds, is hoping to erase an ugly memory from last year's state championships when he was disqualified because of a false start. "This year I'm ready to be No. 1," Smith said. "I'm going for a 6.4 flat."

Smith finished ahead of Sewanhaka's Brian Wint (6.51) and Mepham's Miquel Shaw (6.69) last night.

Uniondale had a fine night as five of its athletes qualified in four difference events. Glen Forsythe took first in the long jump (23-5 1/2) and the triple jump (47-2 ½), Christian Armour took third in the long jump (21-3 1/4) and won the 55 hurdles (7.81). Nyder Chardonette qualified with a second-place finish in the hurdles in 7.84. Stephen Muir qualified in the triple jump in 44-6 and Joshua Salmon (38.91) in the 300.

Westbury's Owen Skeete continued his banner season, taking first in the 3,000 in 9:25.99 and the 1,600 (4:25.4).

SEE PHOTOSNassau track state qualifier

Other qualifiers were East Meadow's Chris Garcia with a second-place finish in the long jump (22-5), Massapequa's Andrew Valenski (9:28.3) and Calhoun's James Panetta (9:29.3) in the 3,000 and Valley Stream North's Kendel Levy (49-7¾) and Baldwin's Ieshawn Johnson (47-7 1/4) in the shot put.

Thomas Bardabelias of VSN won the 1,000 in 2:38.54, followed by Massapequa's Nick DeLuna (2:39.01) and Mineola's Nuno Tinoco (2:39.21). Manhasset's Kyle Howell and Farmingdale's Matthew DiCarlo (6 feet) qualified in the high jump.